Southwestern Illinois counties report 163 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday, no new deaths
County health departments in the metro-east reported a total of 163 new positive tests but no new deaths Wednesday.
St. Clair County announced 66 new cases, down from 77 on Tuesday, while Madison County reported 54 new cases, up from 49 on Tuesday. Other southwestern Illinois counties reporting new cases Wednesday included Clinton (13), Randolph (12), Jersey (6), Macoupin (5), Monroe (4), Bond (2), and Perry (1).
The state’s public health agency defines the metro-east region as St. Clair, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, Clinton, Bond and Washington counties.
According to llinois Department of Public Health, as of Wednesday, 52% of the metro-east region’s ICU beds are available and 82% of the region’s ventilators are available.
Threshold for state-imposed COVID restrictions
As of Saturday, the latest date information was available, an average of 7.5% of the coronavirus tests performed in the metro-east over the past seven days were positive, a higher rate than Chicago or any other region of Illinois.
One of the state’s benchmarks for bringing back restrictions on businesses and activities in a region is if 8% or more of the tests are positive on average for three consecutive days. In the metro-east, that number has been at least 6% since July 12 and has gotten as high as 7.8% on July 25. At its highest, the metro-east’s rate was more than double the statewide average.
County and city leaders have been sharing the state’s safety guidelines on their websites, on social media and in letters to business owners in recent weeks as the number of diagnoses climbed in the region. They sought compliance with the rules, which call for face masks in most public places, at least 6 feet of distance between people and no more than 50 people in a crowd.
On Friday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration filed a proposed emergency rule that would give local authorities more power to enforce the state mask mandate at schools, businesses and childcare facilities. The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, a group of legislators, upheld the rule Tuesday.
Some city leaders said last week they were discussing their own mask ordinances to potentially fine citizens for breaking the rule, including in East St. Louis, Cahokia, Fairview Heights, O’Fallon and Edwardsville.
Testing efforts have been ramping up in the region recently, with one-day testing sites available this week across St. Clair and Madison counties.
St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern said Tuesday during the county’s daily COVID-19 briefing that the metro-east’s state legislators sent a letter to the Department of Public Health requesting even more testing sites and equipment for the region.
“We encourage everyone to get out and get tested,” Kern said during Wednesday’s briefing.
St. Clair County’s latest rundown
St. Clair County now has 4,584 coronavirus cases and 157 deaths related to the virus, leading the metro-east in both categories.
Additionally, the county announced a daily positivity rate of 5.9% on Wednesday. The positivity rate is the percentage of coronavirus tests that are positive among those tests taken that day.
The county announced Wednesday that 49 people are hospitalized due to COVID-19, with 1 of them on a ventilator.
Cases reported Wednesday in St. Clair County ranged in age from young people under 10 to people in their 80s. Of the 66 new cases, 42 were of people under 40. Specifically, among the cases reported included 3 of young people under 10; 10 of young people in their teens; 14 of people in their 20s; 15 of people in their 30s; and then 12 of people in their 40s.
The biggest jump by zip code in St. Clair County on Wednesday was 62269 (O’Fallon — +7 for a total of 336). There were no new cases in congregate care settings.
“The numbers today are okay but not great,” St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency Director Herb Simmons said during Wednesday’s daily briefing. “I’m really happy with team St. Clair, all of you who share this briefing with your friends and family. Every minute of the day, every hour of the day, everything is changing.”
He again implored people to follow safety protocols and had a very blunt message for those still refusing to wear masks.
“Wash your hands, wear your masks, social distance ... be a part of the solution, not part of the problem. If we want to go backwards, then don’t wear your mask. That is stupid if you don’t. I’ll leave it at that,” he said.
Madison County by the numbers
Madison County, meanwhile, now has 2,711 coronavirus cases and 78 deaths.
The county also reported a daily positivity rate of 8.01%, up from 7.23% on Tuesday, and its 7-day moving average positivity rate of 8.64% is up from 8.56% on Tuesday.
Cases ranged from young people under 10 to individuals in their 80s. Cases included 3 young people under 10, 7 young people in their teens, 8 people in their 20s, 12 people in their 30s and 7 people in their 40s.
Numbers update from Illinois
Meanwhile, the state announced 1,645 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and 16 additional virus-related deaths.
Illinois has seen a total of 7,672 deaths during the pandemic as of Wednesday, officials reported. A total of 198,593 people have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, while more than 3.1 million people have been tested for COVID-19, 42,098 of which were tested since Tuesday.
Currently, 1,525 people in Illinois are in the hospital with COVID-19, and of those patients, 357 are in the ICU and 129 patients are using ventilators.
As of Wednesday, the preliminary seven-day statewide positivity rate from Aug. 5-11 was 4.1%.
Southwestern Illinois COVID-19 statistics
The following are the latest available statistics by county. ZIP code-level numbers are provided by the state each afternoon at dph.illinois.gov/covid19/covid19-statistics. Madison County compiles its own ZIP code statistics from the state reporting system later in the day, so the numbers may differ from what appears on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website.
The Belleville News-Democrat reports the information Madison County provides. ZIP codes with fewer than five cases of the virus are not reported by health officials. The number in parentheses after each ZIP code below reflects the change from the previous day’s cumulative total. A decrease reflects a correction. All other information comes from local health departments. The “recoveries” figure refers to the number of people who completed the required isolation period in most counties:
Here are the latest available statistics for southwestern Illinois counties. The number in parentheses reflects how the new daily total compares to the prior day’s total. Subtractions occur when a COVID-19 positive patient is misdiagnosed or moves away from the area.
ST. CLAIR COUNTY
Wednesday’s new data: 66 new positives, 1,122 new tests administered, 314 new recoveries, 8 new hospitalizations, 1 new person on a ventilator
Total overall: 4,584 positives, 158 deaths, 46,805 tests administered, 3,749 recoveries, 49 hospitalizations, 1 person on a ventilator
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62059 (Brooklyn): 10
- 62201 (East St. Louis): 193 (+1)
- 62203 (East St. Louis, Centreville, Washington Park, Caseyville): 163
- 62204 (East St. Louis): 121
- 62205 (East St. Louis, Alorton, Centreville): 167 (+2)
- 62206 (East St. Louis, Cahokia): 363 (+1)
- 62207 (East St. Louis, Centreville, Alorton): 214 (+3)
- 62208 (Fairview Heights): 293 (+4)
- 62220 (Belleville, Smithton): 373 (+4)
- 62221 (Belleville): 411 (+5)
- 62223 (Belleville, Swansea): 222 (+1)
- 62225 (Scott Air Force Base): 19 (+1)
- 62226 (Belleville, Swansea): 475 (+5)
- 62232 (Fairview Heights, Caseyville): 99 (+3)
- 62239 (Dupo): 56 (+1)
- 62240 (Dupo): 19 (+2)
- 62243 (Freeburg): 34
- 62254 (Lebanon): 136 (+3)
- 62255 (Lenzburg): 13
- 62257 (Marissa): 25
- 62258 (Mascoutah, Fayetteville): 77 (+1)
- 62260 (Millstadt): 71 (+1)
- 62264 (New Athens): 71
- 62269 (O’Fallon): 336 (+7)
- 62285 (Smithton): 47 (+2)
MADISON COUNTY
Wednesday’s new data: 54 new positives, 674 new tests administered, 81 new recoveries
Total overall: 2,657 positives, 78 deaths, 45,055 tests administered, 1,238 recoveries
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62001 (Kaufman, Alhambra): 9
- 62002 (Alton, East Alton, Godfrey): 389
- 62010 (Bethalto): 108
- 62018 (Alton, Bethalto, East Alton): 26
- 62021 (Dorsey): 6
- 62024 (East Alton): 45
- 62025 (Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Pontoon Beach, Roxana): 377
- 62034 (Glen Carbon): 177
- 62035 (Godfrey): 149
- 62040 (Granite City, Pontoon Beach): 451
- 62048 (Edwardsville, Granite City, Roxana, Hartford): 6
- 62060 (Granite City, Madison, Venice): 81
- 62061 (Marine): 15
- 62062 (Maryville): 68
- 62067 (Moro): 25
- 62084 (Edwardsville, Wood River, Pontoon Beach, Roxana, South Roxana): 8
- 62087 (Edwardsville, Roxana, South Roxana, Hartford): 11
- 62090 (Madison, Venice): 27
- 62095 (Wood River): 74
- 62097 (Prairietown, Worden): 14
- 62234 (Collinsville, Pontoon Beach, State Park Place): 312
- 62249 (Highland): 135
- 62281 (St. Jacob): 26
- 62294 (Troy): 145
RANDOLPH COUNTY
Wednesday’s new data: 12 new positives, 4 new recoveries, 1 new hospitalization
Total overall: 495 positives, 7 deaths, 435 recoveries, 6,857 tests administered
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62217 (Baldwin): 12
- 62233 (Chester): 162
- 62237 (Coulterville): 33
- 62241 (Ellis Grove): 12 (+2)
- 62242 (Evansville): 13 (+2)
- 62272 (Willisville, Percy): 59
- 62278 (Red Bud): 66
- 62286 (Sparta): 87
- 62288 (Steeleville): 56 (+3)
CLINTON COUNTY
Wednesday’s new data: 13 new positives, 4 new recoveries
Total overall: 432 positives, 17 deaths, 319 recoveries, 3 hospitalizations
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62215 (Albers, Damiansville): 17 (+1)
- 62216 (Aviston): 25
- 62218 (Bartelso): 14 (-1)
- 62230 (Breese): 48
- 62231 (Carlyle): 116 (-1)
- 62245 (Germantown): 22 (+2)
- 62265 (New Baden): 78
- 62293 (Trenton): 47 (+1)
- 62801 (Centralia): 119
MONROE COUNTY
Wednesday’s new data: 4 new positives
Total overall: 331 positives, 12 deaths
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62236 (Columbia): 146 (+3)
- 62295 (Valmeyer): 14
- 62298 (Waterloo): 143 (+2)
MACOUPIN COUNTY
Wednesday’s new data: 5 new positives, 160 new tests administered
Total overall: 224 positives, 4 deaths, 11,958 tests administered with 125 results pending, 2 hospitalizations, 54 recoveries
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62009 (Benld, Sawyerville, Mount Clare): 6
- 62012 (Brighton): 38 (+1)
62014 (Bunker Hill): 17 (+1)
62033 (Gillespie): 37 (+9)
62069 (Mount Olive): 14
- 62088 (Staunton): 30 (+2)
- 62626 (Carlinville): 35 (+3)
- 62640 (Girard): 8 (+1)
- 62690 (Virden): 11 (-1)
PERRY COUNTY
Wednesday’s new data: 1 new positive, 16 new recoveries
Total overall: 189 positives, 3 deaths, 114 recoveries
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62238 (Cutler): 12
- 62274 (Pinckneyville): 88 (+1)
- 62832 (Du Quoin): 50
- 62888 (Tamaroa): 8
JERSEY COUNTY
Wednesday’s new data: 6 new positives, 2 new recoveries
Total overall: 126 positives, two deaths, 84 recoveries
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62022 (Newbern): 9
- 62037 (Grafton): 12
- 62052 (Jerseyville): 69 (+3)
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Wednesday’s new data: No new data released
Total overall: 68 positives, 62 recoveries, four hospitalizations
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62214 (Venedy, Addieville): 7
- 62263 (Nashville, New Minden): 21
- 62271 (Okawville): 12
- 62808 (Ashley): 9
- 62848 (Irvington): 7
BOND COUNTY
Wednesday’s new data: 2 new positives
Total overall: 67 positives, 3 deaths, 3,474 tests administered, one hospitalization
ZIP codes with positives:
- 62246 (Greenville): 44 (+2)
- 62275 (Pocahontas): 16 (+1)
CALHOUN COUNTY
Wednesday’s new data: No new data released
Total overall: 10 positives, 9 recoveries
State, nation, world statistics
Here are the latest available statistics from the Illinois Department of Public Health and Johns Hopkins University’s coronavirus map as of Wednesday afternoon:
- Illinois: 198,593 cases, 7,672 deaths
- U.S.: 5,320,860 cases, 168,219 deaths, 2,757,678 recoveries
- World: 20,606,872 cases, 747,774 deaths, 13,507,000 recoveries
St. Clair County, Madison County testing sites
Working with Illinois Department of Public Health and Southern Illinois Health Foundation, the St. Clair County Health Department is co-sponsoring the following test sites,with more test sites to be announced:
- Thursday, Aug. 13: Mascoutah Scheve Park AG building from 10 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m.
- Monday, Aug. 17: Shiloh Community Park from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 18: Belleville West High School from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 21: Fairview Heights Moody Park from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
No appointment necessary. Masks are required. Test are free; people should bring their health insurance card if they have one. Testing is for adults and chidlren over 3 years old.
Photo identification required. Tests will be done by throat swab by a medical professional.
Results may take up to a week to receive. Do not call for results. People will be contacted by the St. Clair County Health Department when the results area available.
Madison County is also hosting several test sites.
To view those, visit https://www.bnd.com/news/coronavirus/article244856052.html.
Want to help? Here are some ideas
The BND has compiled a list of ways you can help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Go to BND. com to learn about the opportunities to volunteer your time or donate to help communities in the metro-east without putting yourself or others at risk.
You can sew face masks, read stories for people with vision loss and deliver meals to seniors.
If you know of a recognized charitable organization looking for help that isn’t listed, please tell us about it. Send an email to newsroom@bnd.com or fill out the BND’s Southwest Illinois Coronavirus Service and Assistance Guide online at BND.com.
Get the latest news on coronavirus
BND.com will keep you updated throughout the day with information about the spread of the coronavirus in southwestern Illinois.
You can also find the most complete and up-to-date information from government sites including:
- State of Illinois’ COVID-19 page: coronavirus.illinois.gov
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/summary.html
- Federal government’s coronavirus page: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Who to call about mental health
Here are some resources from mental health professionals for anyone struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Touchette Regional Hospital’s Mental Health Support and Resource Line: Call 618-482-7158 to talk to trained therapy staff.
- Illinois Human Services Mental Health Division’s Call4Calm: Text the word “talk” to 552020 to text with a mental health care professional for free.
- Centerstone of Illinois, Inc.: Call 618-462-2331 for virtual mental health services.
- Chestnut Health Systems: Call 618-877-4420 for virtual mental health services.
- Narcotics and Alcoholics Anonymous: Call 618-398-9409 or email metroeastnapr@gmail.com to learn about virtual meetings.
- Regional Disaster Mental Health Volunteer Response Team: Call a support line for health care professionals at 618-381-5173.
Contact BND with tips, concerns, suggestions
If you have suggestions about something for the BND to cover regarding the COVID-19 pandemic or if you see a report that sounds suspicious on social media or anywhere else, please drop us a note at newsroom@bnd.com and include a link. We’ll check it out.
We’d like to hear from healthcare workers
The BND would like to speak with nurses, doctors and other health care professionals who are on the front lines caring for patients in doctor’s offices, clinics and hospitals during this difficult time. We’re interested in hearing about your challenges and rewards, frustrations and accomplishments. How is this affecting you? Send us an email at newsroom@bnd.com.
Willing to share your COVID-19 story?
Have you recovered from coronavirus or are you in the process of recovering from COVID-19? We would like to hear from you on how you dealt with the respiratory disease. Send us an email at newsroom@bnd.com.
This story was originally published August 12, 2020 at 4:47 PM.